Red Bulls Hold First Training Session In LA In Advance Of MLS Cup

SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, November 21, 2008) – The New York Red Bulls trained for the first time since arriving in California Friday in preparation of their first MLS CUP Finals appearance.

The team trained for an hour and half beginning at 11:00 AM PST and met with the media following the session. The full team trained under the direction of head coach Juan Carlos Osorio on a beautiful 80 degree day.

The team will train again on Saturday before taking on Supporters Shield Winners, the Columbus Crew, on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3:30 pm EST at The Home Depot Center with the winner taking home the MLS Cup for the first time in franchise history.

The Red Bulls were the only MLS team to have a winning record vs. Columbus this season, with New York holding a 2-1-0 season series advantage. The Red Bulls defeated the Crew at Giants Stadium, 2-0, on April 5, and 3-1 on Oct. 18, but dropped a 3-1 decision at Crew Stadium on Sept. 18.

The Red Bulls will hold their official viewing party at Nevada Smiths, located on 3rd Avenue between 11th and 12th Steets in New York City. The viewing party for New York’s Western Conference Championship win over Real Salt Lake, brought out a packed establishment, with the MLS Cup viewing party expected to draw an even larger crowd of Red Bulls supporters.